Remembering A Legend & Friend

Honoring Coach Kay Yow

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North Carolina State University women's basketball coach Kay Yow.

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Women's basketball and the sports world as a whole said a heartfelt goodbye to a legend this past weekend after the news that North Carolina State University coach Kay Yow passed away after a long struggle with breast cancer.

To remember the Hall of Famer's legacy, NYLiberty.com is sharing the following comments from Kay’s peers and friends:

"I was overwhelmed with sadness when I learned of the passing of Kay Yow this past weekend. I had the distinct privilege and honor to play for Coach Yow on a USA Basketball World University team back in 1979, and she remained a colleague and friend to me over the past 30 years.

Not only did we lose a legendary basketball coach who was admired and respected by so many of us within the basketball community and beyond, but we also lost an extraordinary human being. She lived her life with such an intense passion for basketball, coaching, people and life in general. I will always remember and greatly admire her for the way she fought life’s toughest opponent, cancer, with such profound faith, courage, humility, dignity and determination. If we all took a page out of Coach Yow’s “book of life”, I can assure you, the world would be a better place." - Carol Blazejowski, President & General Manager, New York Liberty

"What a sad day for not only women’s basketball, but sports altogether with the passing of Kay Yow. She truly was one of the most genuine and well liked coaches in our game. It’s rare in the sports world to find someone who was so well liked by opponents, other coaches and fans. Coach Yow will truly be missed." - Pat Coyle, Head Coach, New York Liberty

"This is certainly a profound loss for the family of basketball. Kay's legacy will be the many lives she touched and will continue to touch as the lessons she delivered in life will live on." - Donna Orender, President, Women's National Basketball Association

"I consider myself blessed to have known - and learned from - Coach Yow throughout my career. Without a doubt she will be remembered as one of the most beloved coaches in the history of women's basketball. Her players adored her but it was so, so much bigger than basketball. They adored and respected her for the life lessons she imparted along the way; she taught them the value of being a good person and representing themselves and their families in the proper manner. Kay did more than prepare her players for basketball; she prepared them for life." - Renee Brown, Chief of Basketball Operations & Player Relations, Women's National Basketball Association

Liberty fans are encouraged to contribute donations in Yow's honor to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. The Fund, in partnership with The V Foundation, founded by Yow in December 2007, is a 501 c(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause.

Log onto www.JimmyV.org or call 1-800-4JimmyV now to make your contribution.